Venetian blind and operating mechanism therefor



VENETIAN BLIND AND OPERATING uzcmmrsu THEREFOR Feb. 11, 1941 N. H. swANsoN Filed April 23, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V V V VVVV E,@VVVVVV 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 icvenior; J 6 J ldwalasorv,

' N. H. SWANSON Filed April 23, 1938 wmn Feb. 11, 1941.

VENETIAN BLIND AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR MN. R M M WT Q .Q a R RN QM 11, 1941- N. H. SWANSON 3 VENETIAN BLIND AND OPERATING MECHANISI THEREFOR Filed April 23, 1938 25 Sheets-$heet 3 Patented Feb. 11, 194i v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" VENETIAN BLIND AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Nils H. Swanson, Chicago, 111. Application April 23, 1938, Serial No. 203,838 25 Claims. (Cl. 156-17) This invention relates to Venetian blinds and Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the operating mechanisms therefor and has for the cylindrical head bar disclosing the elements its object a blind construction and operating and features thereof instrumental in attaching mechanism whereby the blind maybe adjusted the tapes and cords of the blind for cooperation as to raising, lowering, and tilting by a single with the bar and the operating and controlling 5 unitary operating mechanism that can be conmechanism positioned therein; trolled either manually, mechanically, or elec- Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the trically. clamps or covers by which the clip shown in With the above and other objects in view, as Figure 5 for securing the tapes to the head bar will be apparent, this invention consists in the is held in place; 19 construction, combination, and arrangement of Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section taken parts all as hereinafter more fully described, along line 8-8 of Figure 3; claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying Figure 9 is a similar view taken along line drawings, wherein: 9-9 of Figure 3;

Figure 1 is an elevation of the blind forming Figure 10 is also a vertical transverse section 15 the subject matter of the present invention taken being taken along line Ill-i0 of Figure 3; from the inside of a window with blind com- Figure 11 is a perspective view of the locking pletely lowered and tilted closed as illustrated p a e o m a p r of the mechanism disclosed in position A of Figure 2; in Figures 3 and 10;

Figure 2 is a, diagrammatic series of end ale-.- Figure 12 IS a vertical transverse section taken 20 vations of the blind showing the relative posialong line l2l2 of Figure 3;

tions of the blind sections or slats and head bar Figure 13 is similarly a transverse vertical during several successive stages of the operasection taken along line l3-i3 of Figure 3, showtion thereof in being adjusted, raised or lowered, ing the mounting for one end of the cylindrical wherein: A shows the positions, the slats or sechead bar; 25 tions assume when the blind is fully lowered and Figure 14 is a longitudinal vertical section tilted closed; B illustrates the positions of the taken along line H-i4 of Figure 15 through slats or sections when-tilted or adjusted to be one end of the cylindrical head bar to disclose fully open; C discloses the positions of the slats manual and mechanical means for the operation or sections when tilted or adjusted to be fully and control of the blind; 30 closed but in the opposite direction to position A; Figure 15 isa Vertical transverse section taken D shows the positions of the slats or sections along line l5-l5 of Figure 14; when partly raised; E discloses the positions of Figure 16 is a front elevation of one end of the the slats or sections when fully raised and with cylindrical head bar provided with that form of the cluster thereof substantially horizontal; F the invention illustrated in Figures 14 and 15; 35

shows the positions of the slats or sections when and partly lowered; and G illustrates the positions Figure 17 is an enlarged vertical section of the slats or sections may be adjusted to assume the connection between the driving mechanism at any point during the raising or lowering and the operating shaft in that form of the inthereof; vention disclosed in Figures 3 to 13, inclusive. 40 Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section Heretofore Venetian blinds have generally emthrough the blind and its tubular or cylindrical ployed two separate and distinct mechanisms head bar to illustrate its construction and operfor the control and operation thereof, viz. one ating mechanism as well as electrical means for for raising and lowering the blind and one for the control of its operation and adjustment; the tilting or adjustment of the slats or sections 45 Figure l is a vertical transverse section taken constituting the blind. Among its other puralong line 44 of Figure 3 disclosing the cooperposes the present invention contemplates a Veneation between the operating and supporting cylintian blind employing a single unitary mechadrical head bar, the slats or sections of the blind nism, either electrical, mechanical, or manual in and the cords and tapes thereof; its operation and control by which the blind may 50 Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of be raised and lowered and the slats or sections the slats or sections of a blind and the cooperatsimultaneously adjusted angularly or tilted in ing tapes and cords together with the clip by either direction. I v which the tapes are secured to the cylindrical The invention furthermore has in view a Venehead bar; tian blind construction wherein the blind slats 5 or sections may, for all practical purposes, be converted into a substantially solid sheet or wall when the slats or sections are fully tilted in either direction by the elimination of all apertures in said slats or sections and so constructing and arranging them that there is complete cooperation between the coacting portions thereof.

Reference being had more particularly to the drawings 20 designates a window opening and the frame thereof. Interposed between the vertical sides of the window frame 20 adjoining the top horizontal side thereof is a tubular and preferably cylindrical head bar 2| by or from which the entire blind is supported, operated and adjusted. This head bar may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably metal of appropriate thickness, and carries within it the mechanism by which the blind is raised, lowered, and adjusted.

At one of its ends, i. e. that end opposed to the end carrying the operating and control mechanism, the head bar is supported for oscillation with a relatively short sleeve 22 mounted on one vertical side of the window frame as close as convenient to the upper horizontal side of the frame. Within the short sleeve 22 is a bracket 23 secured to the adjacent vertical side of the frame 28 by the screws 24 which has a projecting bearing 25 for rotatably mounting one end of the operating shaft 26. The head bar 2| may reciprocate slightly in the short sleeve 22 when the blind is being assembled in the window opening or when it is desired to disconnect the operating and controlling mechanism from said head bar 2| so that the latter and the elements carried thereby may be removed from the window opening for cleaning and repairing.

In all forms of the invention one end of the head bar 2| and of the shaft 29 are mounted as above described whereas the support for the opposite ends of these elements varies somewhat to meet the requirements of the respective operating or driving mechanisms employed. In that form of the invention disclosed in Figures 3 to 13, inclusive, and 17, a bracket plate 21 is secured by the screws 28 to the opposite vertical side of the frame 28 to the bracket 23 and in horizontal alinement therewith. The block 29 of a suitable electric motor 30 is attached to and may form a part of this plate 21. A central bearing 3| for the outer end of the shaft 32 of said motor 3|] is also mounted or pressed into the outer end of the motor block 29. This motor 30, of standard type, is reversible in its operation to be controlled by any desirable switches (not shown) operating through the leads 34 shown in Figure 3 as extending through the adjacent side of the frame 20 and the plate of the bearing 3|.

This motor 30, its block 29 andtassociated mechanisms, as will be pointed out, are housed in a stationary supplemental casing or shell 33 of the same diameter as the head bar 2|, which when interposed between the adjacent end of said bar and the plate 21 constitutes an unbroken continuous extension of said bar as clearly indicated in Figures 1 and 3.- In other words, the head bar 2| and the casing or shell 33 of the operating mechanism combine to constitute what in effect is a single unitary bar extending from one to the other of the vertical side walls of the frame 20.

The block 29 of the motor 30 fits snugly in the casing or shell 33 at the end thereof adjoinin the plate 21 and at its inner end has a hollow or tubular extension 29 bearing against the inner surface of the casing or shell 33. The inner end of the shaft 32 of the motor 30 projects into this extension 29 and has a spur gear 35 thereon lying close to the partition 29 between the motor 30 and said extension. A pair of parallel pins 36 are fixed in the partition 29 on each side of the shaft 32 and extend toward the outer end of the extension 29 where their extremities are engaged by a plate 31 that will prevent the pins 36 from becoming displaced from their relatively parallel positions.

Within the extension 29 and fixed thereto is a pin 38 transverse to the pins 36 and positioned between them to approximately lie on a horizontal diameter of said-extension. Each pin 36 has a worm 39 loosely mounted thereon and meshing with a worm gear 40 loosely mounted on the corresponding or adjacent end portion of the transverse horizontal pin 38. Integral with each worm 39 and adjoining the partition 29 is a spur gear 4|, the pair of spur gears 4| thus provided being opposed and situated on each side of the spur gear 35 of the motor shaft 32 with which they both mesh.

The worm gears 40 mounted loosely on the transverse pin 38 abut at the approximate center of the length of the pin and each is provided at its outer end with an integral spur gear 42. Thus it is manifest that upon the rotation of the motor shaft 32 in either direction the gear 35 fixed thereto rotates the gears 4| and integral worms 39 in the same direction. This rotation being imparted to the worm gears 48 and the integral spur gears 42 which in turn rotate independently in opposite directions on the pin 38. Each unit consisting of a worm gear 40 and its integral spur gear 42 occupies about one-half of the length of the pin 38.

Fixed within the shell or casing 33 and abut ting against the extremity of the extension 29 of the motor block 29 is a substantially solid plate 43, provided with a boss 44 on one surface having a friction fit within the extremity of the extension 29 and a peripheral flange 45 on the opposed surface bearing against the inner surface of the shell or casing 33, where it to all intents and purposes forms a part of said shell as well as a part of the motor block 29. The outer terminal of the flange 45 lies in substantially the same plane as the end of the shell or casing 33. The motor block 29, its'extens ion 29 and the associated plate 43 are so mounted in the shell or casing 33 that they are immovable therein. Located at the ends of the horizontal diameter of the flange 45 are the opposed somewhat elongated slots or openings 46 formed through said flange to extend to the inner surface of the shell or casing 33. Because of the fixed position of the plate 43 and flange 45 within the casing 33 the positions of the slots or openings 49 with respect to the shell or casing 33 and to the operating shaft 26 are also fixed.

An intermediate shaft 41 is mounted for rotation in the plate 43 and at its terminals projects beyond the limits of the plate. To that end of the intermediate shaft 47 projecting beyond the boss 44 is secured a crown gear 48 for rotation with said shaft. This crown gear 48 encompasses the plate 31 interposed between and holding the outer ends of the pins 36 and its teeth mesh with the teeth of the spur gears 42, whereby the crown gear is rotated upon the rotation of said spur gears on the transverse pin 38 as above described.

The mechanism heretofore described as mounted in the shell or casing 33 so transmits the rotary power originating in the motor 30 to the intermediate shaft 41 that the rotation of the motor in either direction correspondingly rotates said intermediate shaft in either direction. This rotation of the intermediate shaft 41 in either direction accomplishes two purposes, viz, the rotation of the operating shaft 26 within the cylindrical head bar 2| for raising or lowering the sections or slats of the blind and the tilting or adjustment of said sections or slats by or through the oscillation of the head bar 2| in either direction.

The operating shaft 26 is positioned concentrically within the head bar 2| and passes through substantially the entire length thereof from the bearing 25 at one end to the extremity of the intermediate shaft 41 at the opposite end. This operating shaft 26, the intermediate shaft 41 and the motor shaft 32 are coextensive and concentrically situated in the head bar 2| and the shell or casing 33 respectively.

The adjoining ends of the operating shaft 26 and the intermediate shaft 41 abut as illustrated in Figure 3. For the purpose of transmitting the rotation of the intermediate shaft 41 to the operating shaft 26 the latter has a collar 49 fixed thereto by the pin 50 piercing both the collar 49 and shaft 26. This collar 49 projects beyond the end of the shaft 26 to receive the end portion of the intermediate shaft 41 which extends into the projecting part of the collar 49 where it is splined to said collar, as at 5|. Thus any rotationof the intermediate shaft 41 correspondingly rotates the operating shaft 26 through the medium of the collar 49 fixed to the abutting ends of both of said shafts.

Means are provided for operation in conjunctionwith the collar 49, flange 45 of the plate 43 and associated elements to oscillate the cylindrical head bar 2| to tilt or adjust the slats or sections of the blind. To that end the collar 49 is provided, between its ends and within the space defined by the flange 45 of the plate 43, with an integral outstanding disc 52, the periphery of which is indented by a series of spaced approximately semi-circular recesses 53. Loosely mounted on the end of the collar 49 extending into the terminal of the head bar 2| and adjoining the disc 52 is a driving plate 54. At its edge or periphery this plate 54 frictionally or otherwise so engages the inner surface of the head bar 2| that when the plate is rotated upon or with the collar 49 the head bar 2| will be rotated or moved similarly. That is to say, by provision of the driving plate 54 and its operative connection with the head bar 2|, the latter will bodily rotate with the motor shaft 32, the intermediate shaft 41 and the operating shaft 26 whenever the plate 54 is connected to these elements for that purpose.

It is proposed to partly rotate the head bar 2| on the initiation of rotation in either direction of the operating shaft 26 and then only for a part of a revolution upon the completion of which the plate 54 and consequently the head bar 2| is disengaged from the power source to remain stationary. For this initial and periodic movement of the head bar 2| the driving plate.

54 has a pair of diametrically opposed arms 55 pivoted thereto as at 55.170 lie between the plate 54 and the plane of the disc 52. It is to be noted that the arms 55 are of substantially equal length and that the pivots 56 thereof are diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the collar 49. Furthermore these arms 55 rest close to, if not flush against, one face of the plate 54. At its free end each arm 55 has a. laterally projecting pivot 51 upon which is freely mounted a roller 58.-

These rollers 58 rest at right angles to the ends of the arms 55 and to the plate 54 and project over the edge of the disc 52 for cooperation with sides 68 of the separator 59 and as the heads of the pins 51 project beyond the faces of said arms, the driving plate 54 is provided with the diametrically opposed apertures 6| in its edge portion in which the heads of the pins 51 are seated and operate.

Upon the rollers 58 engagingthe recesses 53 of the disc 52 and being held therein by the portions of the flange 45 between the slots or openings 46, the driving plate 54 is thereby locked to said disc for rotation therewith and in turn rotates the head bar 2|. When in the course of the rotation of the driving plate 54 and head bar 2| the rollers 58 reach and aline with the slots or openings 46 in the flange 45, which is always stationary, the rollers become disengaged from the engaged recesses 53 and enter said slots or openings; where they remain during the continued rotation of the shafts 26, 41, and 32 in the same direction. This disconcollar 49 so that the rotary movement of the head bar is halted. Reversely, when the rollers are positioned in the slots or openings 46 and the direction of rotation of the shafts 32, 41, and 26 is reversed, the rollers 58 again become seated in recesses 53 of the disc 52 until they again aline with the slots or apertures 46 into which they move and where they stay during the continued rotation of the said shafts in such reverse direction and until said direction of rotation is again reversed.

This movement of the rollers 58 into and out of the recesses 53 and the slots or openings 46 is accomplished by allowing the arms 55 carrying said rollers to swing about their pivots. In Figure 11 is shown a lock for controlling the movement of the rollers 58 and for holding them in the slots or openings 46 thereby preventing them from dropping successively into the recesses 53 as the disc 52 continues its rotation. This lock comprises a plate 63 provided with a central opening 64 by which the lock is mounted on the collar 49 adjacent that face of the disc 52 remote from the driving plate 54. Between the lock 63 and the plate 43 is interposed a spring plate 65 to exert sufficient pressure on the lock to establish a friction connection between the disc 52 and the face of the lock remote from said spring. In this manner the lock 63 may rotate with the collar 49 and the disc 52 integral therewith.

As illustrated in Figure 11 the ends 66 of the 1ock'63 are curved to coincide with the curvature of the inner face of the flange 45. The sides 61 of the lock are comparatively speaking straight and parallel and each end of each side 61 is pro- .nects the driving plate 54 from the disc 52 and vided with an outer notch 68 and an inner notch 69 separated by the projection 10. One or the other of the sets of notches 68-69 of one side 61 cooperates with one of the rollers 58-when one or the other of the sets of notches 68-69 on the opposite side 61 of the lock 63 cooperates with the other roller 58. That is to say the rollers 58 simultaneously cooperate with one or the other of the sets of notches 68-69 at the ends of the opposed sides 61 of the lock 63.

When the rollers 58 engage the recesses 53 they rest in the inner notches 69 of the lock 63 and the lock rotates with the collar 49 and disc 52. Upon the rollers 58 reaching or alining with the slots or openings 46 in the flanges 45 during this rotation, they simultaneously enter the same, which action permits the projections 18 between 1 each pair of notches 68-69 to pass under said rollers whereupon the rollers enter or are positioned to cooperate with the outer notches 68.

The rotation of the lock 63 then ceases, as does also the rotation of the plate 54 and the head bar 2i, and the rollers 58 are retained in the openings 46 by the outer notches 68, thereby preventing the rollers from successively dropping into the recesses 53 during the continued rotation of the collar 49 and .disc 52 in the same direction. When the direction of rotation is reversed, the rollers 58 return to the inner notches 69 and there remain for the rotation of the plate 54 as described until the rollers again aline with openings 46.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the form of operating mechanism for the blind illustrated in Figures 3 to 13 and 17 is entirely housed in the stationary shell or casing 33 which so cooperates with and forms a continuation of the head bar 21 that a unitary head bar is created comprising the combined elements 2| and 33, one of which may be oscillated while the other is fixed against movement. It is furthermore inanifest that upon the initiation of rotation in either direction of the operating shaft 26, the intermediate shaft 41 and the motor shaft 32, the head bar 2! will be moved or oscillated a part of a revolution usually between one-quarter and one half of a revolution. It is to be understood that if the rotation of the several shafts has been started in one direction, as for instance to raise the blind, the halting and subsequent continuation of this rotation does not influence the posi-- tion of the head bar 2| until the raising operation is completed or the rotation of the shafts is reversed prior to the completion of the raising operation.

In Figures l4, l5, and 16 is disclosed a modified form of the operating mechanism wherein is illustrated a mechanism for the manual or mechanical operation, control, and adjustment of the blind. This form of operating mechanism is also contained and mounted within the shell or casing 33 and may be substituted for that form shown in Figures 3 to 13 inclusive and 17 without any modification of the head bar 2| or any of the formed in the top part of the block 1| and housed or covered by the shell 33. Within the end of the passage 12 toward the window frame 20 is a bearing 14 in which is mounted for rotation one end of an intermediate shaft 15. The end of the passage 12 opposed to the bearing 14 is reduced, as at 16, to constitute a bearing for the opposite end of the intermediate shaft 15. This shaft is positioned concentrically in the block 11 and extends and projects beyond the end of said block adjacent the head bar 2|. The terminal of the block 1| adjoining or abutting the end of the head bar 2| is also provided with the outstanding flange 45 which operates and functionslike the flange 45 in Figures 3 to 13, inclusive, and 17, and like it, is provided with the diametrically opposed elongated slots or openings 46.

The intermediate shaft 15 abuts against the extremity of the operating shaft. 26 and is encircled by the projecting end of the collar 49 fixed by the pin 50 to the shaft 26, to which it is secured by the spline 11 or other suitable means. Manifestly when the shaft 15 is rotated in either direction the operating shaft 26 is similarly rotated and by the provision of the collar 49, the disc 52, rollers 58, driving plate 54 and associated parts and elements the head bar 2| will be shifted and oscillated as heretofore described.

For the rotation of the intermediate shaft 15 a driving shaft 18 is mounted in the block 1| to one side of the shaft 15 and occupying a plane at right angles to the plane of the shaft 15. This driving shaft 18 has a gear 19 keyed or otherwise centrally secured thereto and operating in a cavity 80 formed in the block to communicate with the passage 12. A similar gear BI is formed on or keyed to the intermediate shaft 15, and meshes with the gear 19 on the driving shaft 18. Thus when the driving shaft 18 is rotated in either direction, this rotation is transmitted and imparted to the intermediate shaft 15 and to the operating shaft 26, disc 52 and associated elements.

This driving shaft 18 may be rotated either mechanically or manually for the adjustment and operation of the blind. To rotate the drivlng shaft 18 manually, one end thereof has affixed to it a grooved. pulley 82. A'chute or guide 83 located in the chamber 13 and leads from and is alined with the lower face of the pulley 82 to extend to the outer surface of the block 11. This chute 83 passes through an opening or slot 84 in the shell or casing 33 and is then bent downwardly, as at 85, to lie in a vertical plane at right angles to the body of the chute. Vertical transverse sides 86 are provided at the edges of the chute to prevent a displacement of the operating cord 81.

The operating cord 81, of any suitable type or construction and here shown as bead chain, is looped about the pulley 82 and seated in the groove thereof with its end portions extending forwardly in the chute 83 and bending to rest in the vertical part 85 thereof. A pull exerted on one end of the cord or chain 81 rotates the pulley 82, the driving shaft 18, the intermediate shaft 15, the collar 49 and operating shaft 26 in one direction while a pull on the opposite end of the cord 81 reverses this rotation. The effect of the rotation and the reversal of the direction of rotation of the shafts 26, 15, and 18 is the same as the effective rotation and reversal of rotation of the shafts 32, 11, and 26 of that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 to 13 and 17.

For the operation of the blind mechanically and without hanging or dangling cords, the pulley between each pair of tapes 98 are comparatively 82, chain or cord 8], and chute 83 may be eliminated from that form of the invention shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16. In this event the drivin shaft 18 may be extended or elongated to any length as shown in dotted lines in Figure 15, and supplied with a crank 88 at its outer extremity for its rotation. By turning the block ll through 90 degrees so that the shaft 18 lies horizontaL'the blind and its controlling mechanism may be operated through the medium of the elongated or extended driving shaft I8 from a position remote from the blind as for instance a blind in a show window and a distance from the room operated from a crank positioned away from the blind or within the room.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the several forms of operating and controlling mechanisms disclosed herein and housed within the shell or casing 33 may be interchanged or assembled with the main head bar 2| without varying or changing the construction and operation of the latter or of its parts and cooperating elements, thereby making it possible to install the blind for either manual, mechanical, or electrical operation. Furthermore, it is evident that where the blind or blinds are electrically controlled and operated as disclosed in Figures 3 to 13, inclusive, and I, a plurality thereof may be operated, controlled, and adjusted in unison andv form a common point by the provision of suitable electrical connections and switches (not shown). Likewise, any individual blind may be operated and adjustedfrom any remote and convenient point.

The head bar 2| and operating mechanisms hereinbefore described cooperate with a new and novel blind construction for the control, operation and adjustment thereof, though it is to be understood that these elements and features may also be used to control, operate, and adjust any adaptable or standard blind construction.

Within the head bar 2| and fixed to the operating shaft 28 for rotation therewith are several reels 89 spaced one from the other longitudinally of said shaft. To hold thesereels fixed in their respective positions on the shaft 28 they are pierced by the countersunk screws 98 threaded into the shaft 28, which may also be employed to secure the ends of the cords to the reels.

At the' ends of a horizontal diameter of the cylindrical tubular head bar 2| in alineinent with each reel 89, the body of the head bar 2| is bent inwardly as at 9|, creating a depression open at its transverse ends. In the bottom of each depression 9| adjacent its lower edge is an opening or slot 92 to permit one of the blind cords 91 to pass to the interior of the head bar 2|. 0n the interior of the head bar 2| and adjoining each slot or opening 92, a tongue is cut from the body of the head bar or fastened to the interior of said bar and formed into a roll 93 on and over which the cord 91 passing through said slot or opening operates. This construction provides a smooth, rounded surface over which the cord, 91 passes.

Each blind comprises a series of slats or blind sections 94 approximately equal in length to the combined length of the head bar 2| and coacting shell or casing 33. These slats or sections 94 are preferably of metal and are curved transversely. The slats 94 rest freely on spaced transverse supporting tapes 95 interposed between ladder tapes 98 crossing the edges of said slats or sections when the latter are horizontal and extending from the head bar 2| to the bottom of the window opening when the blind is fully lowered.

The transverse supporting tapes 95 interposed the depression 9|.

narrow and are connected adjacent to alternate edges of the tapes 98. That is one tape 95 is interposed between and connected to one pair of corresponding edges of the spaced tapes 98 while the next tape 95 is interposed between and connected to the opposite pair of corresponding edges of the pair of tapes 98. This arrangement is clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 and permits the cord 9'! at the rear of each tape 98 to pass between the transverse tapes 95 of the assembly and does not require the slat or section 94 to be slotted for the'passa e of the cord.

At their lower ends the tapes 98 of each pair pass under the bottommost or lowest'slat or section 94 and may there have their ends connected together; or alternatively, if desired, the tapes 98 may be formed from a single strip of material bent upon itself. The upper or free ends of each pair of tapes 98 are secured to a U-shaped clip 98 (Figures 4 and 5). is curved outwardly to conform to the outer contour of the head bar 2| between the depressions 9| while the arms 99 are curved inwardly to follow the curvature of the bottoms of the depressions 9|. To secure the tapes 98 to the clip 99, their extremities are placed flush against the outer faces of the arms 99 and the end portions I99 of said arms are bent outwardly and downwardly to lie against and clamp the extremities of the tapes. If desired, small rivets (not shown) may be employed to pierce the arms 99 of the clip, the end portions I08 thereof and the extremities of the tapes 98 thereby insuring their permanent engagement by said clip. Openings or slots II are provided in the base of the clip 98 where the arms 99 join it to permit passage of the cords 91 therethrough.

- In operation the clip 98 spans the head bar 2| with its base flush against the outer surface of the-bar and its arms 99 carrying the extremities of the tapes 98 seated in the depressions 9| flush against the bottoms thereof. The ends of the cords 91 are passed through the slots "H in the clip 98 and'then through the openings 92 in the bottoms of the depressions 9| to the interior of the head bar where they are secured to the cooperating reel 89 by the screw '90 or by any other suitable means.

A clamp or cover such as illustrated in Figure 7 is employed to hold each arm 99 of the clip 98 in its depression 9| and to fill the cavity of the curvature of said arm so that the outer face of the head bar 2| will present a smooth unbroken appearance and surface at each point where an arm 99 of a clip 98 engages it. This clamp or cover comprises a strip of metal wider than the length of a depression 9|, bent upon itself elliptically to form an outer member I02 and inner member I93. The outer member I82 is curved or bulged outwardly to form a continuation of the outer curve of the head bar 2| while the inner member I 03 is also curved or bulged outwardly to seat snugly in a curved rebent end portion I00 of an arm 99 of a clip 98. When the arms 99 of a clip 98 are seated in opposed depressions 9| a clamp or cover cooperates with each arm by being inserted under one transverse edge of the depression with the outer member I92 facing outwardly. The cover or clamp is then slid bodily toward and under the opposite transverse edge of Thus the arms 99 of each clip 98 are removably held in place not only by the spring action of the arms 99 of the clip, but also by the clamp or cover so cooperating with filled and the outer siiriace oi the head bar 2! is smooth and unbroken.

The cords 91 operating on each side of the slats 94 and fixed at their lower or outer ends to the bottom slat upon the rotation of the operating shaft 26 in either direction, are wound upon and unwound from the reels 89. Thus if the shaft 26 is rotated in one direction and the slats 94 are fully lowered, the cords 91 will be wound upon the reels 89 until the slats 94 are entirely clustered adjoining the head bar 2| and the blind completely raised. Thereupon if the rotation of the shaft 29 is reversed, the cords 91 will unwind from the reels 89 until the blind is fully lowered and if rotation in this reverse direction is then continued, the cords 91 will again wind upon the reels 99 in the reverse direction again clustering the slats 94 adjoining the head bar 2|. This describes the raising and lowering of the blind by the rotation of the shait 26 and the cooperation oi the cords 91 with the reels 99 fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith. 1

The oscillation of the head bar -2 i, as above described, tilts and adjusts the angles of the slats 94 through the medium of the tapes 96 and their coaction with said bar. Thus, it the slats 94 are substantially horizontal and the operating mechanism is rotated in one direction, the head bar 2| moves a part of a revolution in that direction correspondingly tilting the slats after which the continued rotation of the operating mechanism raises the blind to the determined height without any further movement on the part of the head bar. If it is then desired for the slats 94 to resume substantially horizontal positions, the rotation of the operating mechanism may be reversed for an instant and the initial movement thereof adjusts the angle the slats 94 fromv completely closed -on one side of a vertical plane to completely closed on the opposite side of this plane or to any intermediate position.

The several positions in Figure 2 are illustrative of the positions assumed by the slats 94 under the control of the operating mechanism of the present invention. When the slats 94 are in position A, i. e. fully closed and 7 completely lowered, the

origination oi rotation of the operating mecha nism causes the head bar 2ito oscillate tilting the slats 94 or until they assume position C. In being adjusted from position A to position C the slats pass through position 3, i; e. maximum open tilted position and if the operation of the operating mechanism is halted during such initialmovement, the slats will assume and remain in position B or any other adjusted position between position A and position 0 at which rotation of the operating mechanism is halted. If, however, the operating mechanism is allowed to continue its rotation in the same direction, the cords 91 will wind on the reels 99 and cluster .the slats 94. Position D illustrates 'one of the positions assumed by the slats 94 during such raising oi the blind. When the blind isiully raised and just prior to lowering, the slats 94 may assume posttion E by a reversal of the rotation of the operating mechanism for a duration just suillcient for the slats 94 to become horizontal. If this reverse rotation of the operating mechanism is permitted to continue after the slats 84 assume position E, they assume position F and the lowering process of blind continues until it is fully lowered. At any point in either the raising or lowering of the blind the slats may be made to assume position G or one like it by simply reversing the direction of rotation oi the operating mechanism for an instant and then halting its operation.

'In order to remove the blind for cleaning and repairing, the head bar 2| and all of the elements carried thereby maybe moved relative to sleeve 22 in a direction away from the shell or casing 93. This movement disconnects the spline or 11 and permits the removal of the head bar, the shell or casing 33, and its mechanism remaining fixed to the frame 29. Reversely the movement of the head bar 2| toward the shell or casing 33 in the opposite direction .will reconnect the spline Si or 11 and reassemble the head bar. To install the present blind the shell or casing 93 and its mechanism and the sleeve 22, bracket 23, andbearing 25 are fixed in alignment on opposite vertical sides of the frame 20. One end of the bar 2| is then seated in the sleeve 22 with the shaft 26 in the bearing 25, after which the bar 2| may be moved toward the shell or casing 33 and the spline II or 11 connected.

From the foregoing it is manifest that the several slats 94 are imperforate throughout their entire lengths. It is also apparent that by having the slats 94 curved transversely, the edge of one slat may contact and bear snugly against the body of the next slat, when the slats are fully tilted, thereby presenting a substantially solid and imperforate partition or sheet. Likewise slats so'shaped are more easily manipulated and clustered and also act to reflect sun and heat rays. w

What i claimed is:

1. The combination with a head bar,of a plurality of slats movably suspended therefrom, means for bodily raising and lowering said slats withrespect to said head bar, means associated with said head bar for operating said raising and lowering means, and means including disengageable-coupling means coacting with said operating mean for tilting said slats.

2. The combination with an oscillatory head bar, oi a plurality of movable slats suspended therefrom, means associated with said head bar for moving said slats bodily with respect to said head bar, means for operating said last means, and means including disengageable coupling means coacting with said operating means for oscillatingsaid head bar to tilt said slats 9. The combination with a tubular head bar mounted for oscillation in either direction, of a plurality oi blind slats suspended from said head bar for bodily movement relative thereto, as well as'for tilting movement, means within said head bar for movement in one of two directions to move said slats bodily, a unitary operating mechanism cooperating with said head bar, means whereby said operating mechanism drives the meansior bodily moving said slats, and means whereby said operating mechanism oscillates said head bar to tiltsaid slats.

4. The. combination with a tubular head bar mounted for oscillation, of a series of slats capable of being clustered adjacent said head bar and also of being tilted, a shaft mounted for rotation in either direction within said head bar, means whereby the rotation of said shaft clusters or distributes said slats, means for rotating said shaft in either direction, and means operable from said last said means for oscillating said head bar upon the initiation of rotation in either diable slats carried by said head bar, a shaft within sperms and coextensive with said head bar. means whereby the rotation of said shaft bodily moves said slats, means whereby the oscillation of said head bar tilts said slats, a unitary operating mechanism, a connection between said mechanism and said shaft for the rotation of the latter in either direction under the control of the former, and a connection between said operating mechanism and said head bar whereby the latter moves to correspond to the rotation of said shaft upon the initiation of rotation thereof in either direction.

6. The combination with a tubular oscillatory head bar, of a fixed casing forming a continuation of said head bar, a plurality of bodily movable and tiltable slats carried by said head bar, a coextensive shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means whereby the rotation of said shaft in either direction bodily moves said slats, means whereby the oscillation of said head bar tilts said slats, an operating mechanism mounted in said casing, and connections between said mechanism and shaft and said head bar for the rotation of the shaft in either direction and the corresponding oscillation of said head bar.

7. The combination with a tubular oscillatory head bar, of a fixed casing forming a continuation of said head bar, a plurality of bodily movable and tiltable slats carried by said head bar, a coextensive shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said'head bar, means whereby the rotation of said shaft in either direction bodily moves said slats, means whereby the oscillation of said head bar tilts said slats, an operating mechanism mounted in said casing, connections between said mechanism and said shaft and head bar for the rotation thereof in the same direction, and means whereby said head bar may be adjusted relative to said casing for breaking said connections.

8. The combination with a tubular oscillatory head bar, of a fixed casing forminga continuation of said head bar, a plurality of bodily movable and tiltable slats carried by said head bar, a coextensive shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means whereby the rotation'of said shaft in either direction bodily moves said slats, means whereby the oscillation of' said head bar tilts said slats, an operating mechanism mounted in said casing, connections between said mechanism and said shaft and head bar for the rotation thereof in the same direction, means whereby said head bar may be adjusted relative to said casing for breaking said connec- I tions, and the removal of said head bar from alignment with said casing. I

9. The combination with a tubular oscillatory head bar, of a fixed casing forming a continuation of said head bar, a plurality of bodily movable and tiltable slats carried by said head bar, a coextensive shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means whereby the rotation of said shaft in either direction bodily moves said slats,\means whereby the oscillation of said head bar tilts said slats, an operating mechanism mounted in said casing, a connection 4 between said operating mechanism and said shaft for the rotation thereof in. either direction, means under the control of said connection for oscillating said bar in either direction upon the initiation of rotation of said shaft in either direction, and means whereby said connection may be established and broken and said head placed in or removed from alignment with said casihg.

10. The combination with a tubular head bar.

of a rotary shaft mounted therein, an operating mechanism, means whereby said operating mechanism may rotate said shaft in either direction,

means whereby said head bar may be oscillated inhead bar whereby the oscillation of the latter moves said slats rotatably in either direction.

11. The combination with a head bar, of a plu I rality of bodily and rotatably movable slats cooperating therewith, a pair of tapes combining to support said slats, opposed depressions in said head bar, and a clip comprising a base bent outwardly to span and follow the contour of said bar and having arms formed to be seated snugly in the depressions of said bar and secured to the extremities of the tapes of a pair.

12. The combination with a head bar having a pair of opposed depressions, of a plurality of bodily and rotatably movable slats cooperating therewith, a pair of tapes combining to support said slats, a U-shaped clip having its base formed to span and follow the contour of said bar between said depressions and the arms thereof secured to the extremities of the tapes and formed to be seated in said depressions to rest against the bottoms thereof, and a removable clamp coacti'ng with each arm of the clip when seated in a depression for holding it therein and forming a continuation of the outer contour of said bar. l

' 13. The combination with of a series of adjustable slats cooperating therewith, a shaft rotatably mounted within said head bar, and connected to said slats, ladder tapes cooperating with'said slats and attached to'said head bar, means for mounting said head bar and shaft, whereby the former may oscillate and the latter rotate in either direction in unison,

or independently, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including a shaft, a connection between the shaft of the with, a. shaft rotatably mounted within said head bar, and connected to said slats, ladder tapes cooperating with said slats and attached to said head bar, means for mounting said head bar and shaft, whereby the former may oscillate and the latter rotate in either direction in unison or independently, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including a shaft, a collar fixed to the shaft within the head bar and connected to said driving shaft, a disc fixed to said collar and having a series of recesses in its edge, a driving plate having operative connection with the head bar, a connection carried by said plate for removable engagement with the recesses of said disc, and means for controlling said connection for periodic engagement with said recesses.

a tubular head bar,

15. The combination with a tubular head bar, of a series of adjustable slats cooperating therewith, a shaft rotatably mounted within said head bar, and connected to said slats, ladder tapes cooperating with said slats and attached to said head bar, means for mounting said head bar and shaft, whereby the former may oscillate and the latter rotate in either direction in unison or independently, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including a shaft, a collar fixed to the shaft within the head bar and connected to said driving shaft, an outstanding disc fixed to said collar for rotation therewith provided with a plurality of recesses 15 in its edge, a driving plate having an operative connection with said head bar, a pivotally mounted connection between said disc and plate whereby the latter andqthe head bar may rotate in unison with said shafts and collar, and means for automatically rendering said connection inoperative after the head bar moves through part of a revolution in unison with said shafts.

16. The combination with a tubular head bar, of a shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means for mounting said head bar so that it may rotate in either direction in unison with said shaft, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including adriving shaft, worms driven from said driving shaft, a transverse pin arranged adjacent said worms, independent worm gears mounted on said pin and meshing with said worms, a spur gear fixed to each worm gear for rotation therewith, an intermediate shaft, a crown gear secured to said intermediate shaft and meshing with the spur gears, a collar attached to and projecting beyond the end of the shaft within the head bar, a connection between 40 the projecting end of said collar and said intermediate shaft, and an intermittently operable connection between the collar and the head bar whereby the latter may move in either direction for a part of a revolution in unison with its 45 shaft.

17. The combination with a tubular head bar, of a shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means for mounting said head bar so that it may rotate in either direc- 50 tion in unison with said shaft, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including a. driving shaft, worms driven from said driving shaft, a transverse pin arranged adjacent said worms, independent worm gears 55 mounted on said pin and meshing with said worms, a spur gear fixed to each worm gear for rotation therewith, an intermediate shaft, a

crown gear secured to said intermediate shaft and meshing with the spur gears, a collar at- 0 tached to and projecting beyond the end of the shaft within the head bar, a connection between the projecting end of said collar ,and said intermediate shaft, a disc secured to said collar for movement therewith having a series of recesses in its edge, a driving plate loosely mounted on said collar and having operative connection with said head bar, rollers movably mounted on said plate to engage the recesses of the disc and lock said plate and disc together for rotation in unison, and means whereby said rollers may be automatically removed from said recesses to release said plate from operation in unison with the disc and collar aforesaid.

18. The combination with a tubular head bar,

n of

a shaftmounted for rotation in either direc tion in said head bar, means for mounting said head bar so thatit may rotate in either direction in unison with said shaft,an operatingmechanism adjoining one end of said head bar in cluding an intermediate shaft coextensive with the shaft in said head bar, a collar fixed to and projecting beyond one end of said head bar shaft, a connection between the projecting end of said collar and the intermediate shaft, a driving shaft, meshing gears fixed to said driving shaft and said intermediate shaft whereby the latter is driven from the former, means for rotating said driving shaft, and an intermittently operable connection between the collar and the head bar whereby'the latter may move in either direction for a part of a revolution in unison with said shaft..

19. The combination with a tubular head bar, of a shaft mounted for rotation in either direction in said head bar, means for mounting said head bar so that it may rotate in either direction in unison with said shaft, an operating mechanism adjoining one end of said head bar including an intermediate shaft coextensive with the shaft in said head bar, a collar fixed to, and projecting beyond one end of said head bar shaft, a connection between the projecting end of said collar and the intermediate shaft, a driving shaft positioned transversely of said intermediate shaft, meshing gears fixed to said driving and to said intermediate shafts whereby the latter rotates from the former, means for rotating said driving shaft, a disc secured to said collar for rotation therewith having a series of recesses in its edge, a driving plate loosely mounted on said collar and having operative connection with the head bar, rollers movably mounted on said plate to'engage the recesses of the disc and lock said plate and disc together for rotation in unison, and automatic means whereby said rollers may be disengaged from said recesses to release said plate from operation in unison with the disc and the collar aforesaid.

20. A Venetian blind construction comprising a head bar adapted to be located at a fixed position with respect to a window or the like, an operating member operatively mounted on the head bar, means for driving the operating member, a plurality of slats connected with said head bar, said head bar comprising means movable for tilting all of the slats and means for vertically shifting the slats with respect to the head bar, and means operatively connecting said operating member to both said tilting means and said vertically shifting means and arranged to tilt and vertically shift the slats from the same operating member.

21. A Venetian blind construction comprising a head bar, an operating member operatively mounted on the head bar, means for driving the operating member, a plurality of slats connected with said head bar, said head bar comprisin means movable for tilting all of the slats and means for vertically shifting the slats with respect to the head bar, and means operatively connecting said operating member to both said tilting means and said vertically shifting means and arranged to tilt and vertically shift the slats from the same operating member.

,22. A Venetianblind construction as defined in claim 20, wherein said connecting means is operative to shift the tilting means in a predetermined limited arcuate path only.

23. A Venetian blind construction as defined in claim 20; wherein said driving means is selec- 'tively reversible.

ass gns 9 24, A Venetian blind' construction as defined in claim 20, wherein said tilting means comprises a tubular ba'r oppositely engaged by ladder tapes angularly movable to tilt the slats and wherein said vertical shifting means comprises a shaft interlorly of the tubular bar adapted to receive slat shifting cords in winding engagement. 1

25. A Venetian blind construction as defined in claim 21, wherein said operating member is 5 disposed within said head bar.

NILS H. SWnNSON. 

